About that time Dr. Layton walked back into the room accompanied by Binney Taylor. They both heard his last exchange.
Working here the last fifteen years Ive met a lot of you stubborn rancher and rodeo types, the doctor said. Ive seen a few who dont take my professional medical advice end up in the obit column of the local paper. You can be one of them, Rio, or you can follow my orders and be content raising and selling horses. Barring being caught in a tornado, you could live happily into old age.
Rio caught Binney and Janet both wincing at the doctors blunt statement. Because his previously addled brain was beginning to connect to the truth of his situation, Rio thought he could accept Dr. Laytons advice. Some rodeo jocks dont have options. Im lucky to have the ranch as a fallback. Rio mustered a smile. Earlier I may have sounded like a blockhead. I understand my life has drastically changed. Truly Im not like some guys who see rodeo as their whole life. I have a twin like that, he added, his gaze boring into Binney as he spoke.
You act as if thats significant to me, she replied. Until today I hadnt seen you or Ryder since the night of your high school graduation, when, as a junior, I helped set out snacks. You both went on the all-night party. I worked two jobs all through high school. Thats how I paid for nursing school. Which reminds me, she said, handing him a manila folder, as Im the only private duty nurse currently in the area, heres a copy of my nursing diploma and recommendations from nursing professors. The hospital HR had them on file. If youd like I can get references from my private duty jobs over the past two years.
Were wasting time, Dr. Layton said. Im vouching for you, Binney. This guy has two choices, go to Baxter Rehab or hire you. Without further ado, can you ladies help our patient out of bed? Janet, I ordered crutches for him. Will you see if they were delivered to the nursing station?
Acknowledging the doctor with a nod, the older nurse hurried from the room.
* * *
RESOLVING TO MAKE this work for Rios sake, Binney slid her arm behind his back to give him support so he could ease his injured torso off the pillows. When her hand accidentally burrowed between his loosely tied hospital gown and the naked flesh of his muscular back, she and Rio both sucked in shocked breaths.
Sorry about my cold hand, she hastily mumbled. My bad. But someone needs to tie your gown tighter. Its only loosely done up at the top.
Having quickly jerked back fingers that still tingled from touching him, Binney made sure to have cotton fabric between her hand and Rios smooth, warm back during the next attempt to sit him up. Her reaction made no sense. She was, after all, trained to see bodies as machines. In all her seven years as a registered nurse caring for young, old and in-between men and women of all shapes and sizes, she didnt remember ever having experienced such an immediate visceral reaction to simply touching anyones skin.
A nursing aide entered the room carrying a set of adjustable crutches. Janet got called to a patient having problems in another room. She said she may be a while.
The surgeon huffed out an irritated sigh. I could help you, Binney. But the object is to see if you can get him out of bed.
Ill manage. Are the crutches set for someone Rios height?
Dr. Layton took them
from the aide, who quickly retreated. Im six-one and hes about the same. These would work for me. Just see if you can help him stand, Binney. Ill save ordering him trying to walk until tomorrow.
Not in the habit of arguing with attending physicians, nevertheless Binney knew it would be a disappointment for Rio to have walking put off. Hed made plain earlier how he resented feeling like an invalid.
Lowering her voice, but speaking directly to him, she said, This will be awkward considering you have injuries to both sides of your body. Might I suggest you try using one crutch? The one opposite your usable foot. Let me act as the stabilizer for your right side. I can keep you upright and guide the portable infusion hanger, while you sort of hop along on your good leg.
Thats risky, the doctor said. He must outweigh you by fifty pounds, and could bowl you right over.
Im five-eight and stronger than I look. Binney smiled encouragingly at Rio.
All right. Ill be here this time to catch any slip. Dr. Layton walked over and passed Rio one crutch.
Dang. The cast makes it hard to grip the handhold, Rio muttered. Are you sure you want to try bearing my weight? he asked Binney, whod settled his right arm over her shoulder, and this time had her arm firmly around his waist as she slid him to the edge of the bed.
Trust me, she murmured near his ear.
* * *
TOTALLY CAUGHT OFF guard by the force of tremors running from his toes to his head as he experienced her touch and warm breath at his ear, Rio tested his uninjured foot on the floor and stood. Determined he could do this, he nevertheless needed a moment to get used to the feel of Binneys soft breast and other womanly curves pressed tight into his side and hip.